Turkmenistan and Tatarstan build the future together

Tatars and Turkmens both originate from Turkic people that is why they always showed great interest and respect for each other. It is notable that the spirit of friendship always remained strong between two nations. We were closely connected owing to the geopolitical circumstances – as we lived in one country – the USSR. This period is known to be the time of fruitful cooperation. Today there are many opportunities for development of political, economic and cultural contacts.

From October 9 to 11, 2016 the Days of Republic of Tatarstan in Turkmenistan were announced. For this reason, the delegation of cultural workers of Republic of Tatarstan undertook a brief visit to Turkmenistan. The Head of Union of Writers of the Republic of Tatarstan Danil Salikhov, the poet and winner of State Prize of RT named after Tukay Marsel Galiev, the poet and winner of State Prize of RT named after Tukay Robert Minnulin, the poet and winner of State Prize of RT named after Tukay Ravil Faizullin, the poet and winner of State Prize of RT named after Taqtaş and Suleymanova Ilsiyar Iksanova, the poet and winner of Republican Prize of RT named after Derzhavin Alena Karimova, the professor of Tatar literature department of KFU Hatip Minnegulov and the CEO of the National Library of RT Syuyumbika Ziganshina were among the visitors.

On October 10 in the State Library of Turkmenistan a reception was given to creative intelligentsia of the Republic of Tatarstan. Among Turkmen art workers there were the People’s Writer and Hero of Turkmenistan Guzel Shagulieva, CEO of the National Library of Turkmenistan Guljikhan Saukhanova, People’s Writer Orazguli Annaev, the Head of Book chamber of Turkmenistan and writer Agageldi Allanazarov as well as media representatives.

The modern situation and development of Tatar and Turkmen literature, availability of fiction, produced in our countries, translation aspects, necessity to maintain cultural contacts and close dialogue between our countries constitute the topics that were thoroughly discussed during the meeting.

The same day in the concert hall of the State Cultural Centre of Turkmenistan an evening concert took place, which was prepared by the artists of the Republic of Tatarstan. The State Order of Peoples' Friendship Song and Dance Ensemble of the Republic of Tatarstan, “Kazan nuri” (“Beam of Kazan”) orchestra and other performers participated in it. The Minister of Culture of Turkmenistan Annagelli Garajaev, the Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Turkmenistan Aleksandr Blokhin and the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustem Minnikhanov opened the concert with welcome speech.

A friendly and warm atmosphere of the evening prevailed in the hall. The singers performed in Tatar, Turkmen as well as Russian. The audience was delighted with the concert. Due to the cultural program, nations became much closer. We hope that the strong tendency is going to be reinforced in the future and Tatarstan and Turkmenistan are going to set up and run joint projects as well as make discoveries.